A smart and ambitious student is celebrating after being awarded a bursary to study law.

Marina Parker, from Bridport, has been awarded this year’s Kitson & Trotman bursary to study law at university.

The 18-year-old studied at the Sir John Colfox Academy, where she achieved A-levels in government and politics, English literature and history.

She has now won a place to study law at Swansea University.

Marina said: “I am really interested in law, especially criminal law.”

For her work experience, Marina spent time with a local solicitor, went to Weymouth Magistrates Court and sat in on a police interview.

“I am very grateful and I would like to thank Kitson & Trotman for awarding it to me this bursary,” she said.

“My ambition is to be a solicitor working in criminal law. Work experience helped me decide to pursue this career.”

Becoming a legal translator could be another option; Marina, who lives in Powerstock, was born in Japan and returned to Bridport when she was younger. Her mother is Japanese and her father is British, and she regularly travels to Japan to visit her family.

“I would have to learn legal terminology in Japanese and also have to learn to write Japanese, which would be very hard,”said Marina.

Kitson & Trotman partner Richard King congratulated Marina on her achievement.

He said: “We would like to congratulate Marina on being awarded this bursary.

“We had a number of good applications from schools and colleges across west and south Dorset.

“We are committed to supporting young people and good causes in this area and have a programme of sponsorship which includes sporting clubs, countryside events and art and literary festivals.”

Kitson & Trotman have been providing legal advice and services to individuals and businesses since 1756.

The firm has offices in Bridport, Beaminster, Lyme Regis and Weymouth.

The company’s first bursary was awarded to student Nicole Hannon, from Chickerell, who is now studying law at King’s College, London.

Nicole said: “I’m glad I chose King’s as my university and have made some great friends and great memories in London.

“I find law very interesting and want to study hard and become a lawyer.”